A pair of The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty members were recently honored with the Ohio Pharmacists Association’s Under 40 Award.
Dr. Marilee Clemons, a clinical associate lecturer of pharmacy practice, and Dr. Mitchell Howard, a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, were among this year’s 10 recipients of the award, which was presented last month during the association’s annual conference in Columbus.
Dr. Mitchell Howard and Dr. Marilee Clemons, who also will serve as a district trustee for the Ohio Pharmacists Association, were among 10 pharmacists selected for the award.
Clemons also began a two-year term as the association’s District 2 trustee during the annual meeting.
The association’s Under 40 Award recognizes Ohio pharmacists under the age of 40 for their leadership, excellence and vision in the practice of pharmacy.
An ambulatory care pharmacist, Clemons played a key role in the expansion of collaborative practice agreements within UToledo’s general internal medicine clinics and is heavily involved in experiential education for Pharm.D. students.
“I care about the profession of pharmacy, I want to see it advance and I want to bring the students along with that,” she said. “I’m proud to have helped create a robust program of embedded clinical pharmacists within our clinics, which directly benefits our patients.”
Collaborative practice agreements allow clinical pharmacists working under a supervising physician to play a more direct role in patient care, ordering and reviewing laboratory results and modifying drug regimens.
Howard, who received his Pharm.D. from UToledo, and currently serves as an experiential director and the residency program director in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, was recognized for his extensive community service and his efforts to explore better integrating pharmacy into sports medicine through research and collaboration with others around the country.
Howard is an active volunteer with the student-led UToledo CommunityCare Clinics, has undertaken numerous international medical mission trips and has worked with the Toledo YMCA on medication education initiatives.
“To be recognized by your peers is humbling,” Howard said. “I think we find ourselves very busy in the day-to-day workflow, whether that’s working in a community pharmacy, working in a clinic or working as an educator. This is a moment to step back, take a deep breath and reflect on how far we’ve come since we started our careers.”
Howard and Clemons both joined UToledo in 2018.
“We are very proud to see Dr. Clemons and Dr. Howard receive the Under 40 awards. They’re both heavily engaged not only in the education of our students, but also in the care of our patients,” said Dr. Pamela Heaton, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “Having Dr. Clemons also serving on the board of trustees helps elevate the profile of our program and gives us a voice at the table on key issues affecting our profession.”
As District 2 trustee, Clemons represents Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Williams and Wood counties, serving as a regional contact and advocate for Ohio Pharmacists Association members in northwest Ohio.
“This is a chance to represent our facility and our learners at the state level, sharing the innovative work our college is doing and bringing new ideas back to northwest Ohio,” she said. “I think there’s great value in showing students that our faculty are involved and advocating for pharmacists across Ohio.”
The Ohio Pharmacists Association represents more than 4,000 pharmacists, pharmacy educators and pharmacy students throughout the state.
